Scoring "Harold Teen" (FN, 1928)

[romecapitol]

One of our Capitolfest organists, Avery Tunningley, has posted the following regarding his scoring of "Harold Teen" (FN, 1928), which will be shown as part of Capitolfest 9 on Saturday, August 13:

"I will be playing a number of movies during the Friday and Saturday sessions. For me, the highpoint will be when I get to play the 1928 film "HAROLD TEEN" starring Arthur Lake. I have put an enormous amount of effort and time into the score which is a complete reconstruction of the thematic cue sheet, compiled by James C. Bradford. Every single "cue" (all 56 of them) is included in the score and placed at the exact moment that the cue sheet suggests. This was no small feat because only a portion of the music is available in print so I had to research old recordings and re-write many of the numbers. In between the cues I have added some of my own ideas and the result has been what I think is far and away my best work ever in a comedy.

"HAROLD TEEN" is a movie that has something for everybody. It’s a warm hearted story with loads of laughs. For the sentimental folks, the score includes gentle selections such as "In the Gloaming" and Gustav Langes "Blumenlied" to support the tender moments and romantic notions. For the more adventurous, there is plenty of action and one of the most exciting explosion/flood scenes you are liable to see in any movie, shown to the accompaniment of an historic silent movie score by Zamecnik. For the broad minded there are the voluptuous curves of Miss Giggles Dewberry and scandalous musical shockers such as "How Could Red Riding Hood Have Been So Very Good" (and still keep the wolf from the door?) Add to all of that lots of dance numbers and more "toe-tappers per minute" than any movie I have ever played or seen and you get a sure crowd pleaser.

"HAROLD TEEN" isn’t shown as often as it deserves, and this is likely going to be the only time I will ever perform this score. It will be a thrill and an honor to play this movie on the magnificent Moller organ at the Capitol Theatre. I hope that you will attend this movie or any part of the amazing CAPITOLFEST 9!"

Avery is one of three organists who'll be accompanying movies at Capitolfest, the others are Dr. Philip C. Carli and Bernie Anderson, Jr. The whole schedule can be found here: http://romecapitol.com/capitolfest.html

Art Pierce
Capitol Theatre
Rome, NY

[ElectricPhonograph]

Is that film based on the "Harold Teen" comic strip of the 10's and 20's?

[romecapitol]

It is! (And, by the way, the story is completely different from the 1934 movie of the same title, which is also based on the comic strip characters.)

Art Pierce
Capitol Theatre
Rome, NY
http://www.romecapitol.com" target="_blank

[ElectricPhonograph]

Ok! I LOVE the comic strip, and it made me wonder....

[telical]

Not being able to easily see films like this show how
there needs to be more distribution channels set up.
It doesn't really have to be profitable. There is enough
foundation grant money going around to various individual
artists today. That a whole genre that is the work of thousands of artists
isn't getting some of this money as a public education
endeavor seems hard to believe!

--
Robert Pearson
ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net" target="_blank
Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com" target="_blank

[GooseWoman]

When we are still waiting for films like Greed and The Wind etc it is not highly probable that festival films which by their nature tend to try to be out of the norm will be high in distribution priority. However given the amount of work and personal commitment which seems to have gone in to this presentation I hope at least there is some form of recording capability on the day so that the performance is at least preserved for possible future distribution. This sounds like the sort of fun late silent which most studios did very well.

[silentstar5]

Harold Teen was one of the highlights of Capitolfest and was scheduled in the prized time slot of Saturday evening. A real event film for us. As a film it is charming and full of pep. Yes pep. Arthur lake was so young and Alice White was cute as a button. Avery Tunningly created magic on the Moeller organ with his score and sound effects. A lot of attendees were talking about his artistry over the weekend.

[LouieD]

Agreed! One of the definite highlights of the weekend.

[Richard Finegan]

Harold Teen .... Alice White was cute as a button.

Cuter than any button I've ever seen!

[WaverBoy]

Man, I'd love to see this one. Don't suppose it's any closer to a DVD release...?

[martinola]

Man, I'd love to see this one. Don't suppose it's any closer to a DVD release...?

If it did make it to DVD, I could pretty much guarantee every member of the Covina Valley Historical Society would buy one. (I'd buy two!)
- Martin

[BenModel]

Well, I know LoC has a very nice 35mm (I'm assuming that's what was shown), but since it's a First Nat'l then it'd be a matter of getting rights from WB…or of Warner Home Archive putting it out (and dealing with the costs of scoring it).

Ben

[Danny Burk]

It used to be available for rent on 16mm - Films Inc, I think, back in the '80s. Never saw it, however.

[Edit: I've received a correction that UA16 was the rental company.]

[WaverBoy]

Well, I know LoC has a very nice 35mm (I'm assuming that's what was shown), but since it's a First Nat'l then it'd be a matter of getting rights from WB…or of Warner Home Archive putting it out (and dealing with the costs of scoring it).

Ben

They should pay Ben Model to score it. They'd have my money.

[BenModel]

Thanks, but after all the work Avery's put in it'd be fun to hear the original cue sheet, and played on a TPO too I think (if only music licensing weren't so bloody expensive)!

Ben